Obituary: Abel Fisher - The Iola Register, 18 Sep 1891Died - At his home in Iola Kansas, Wednesday evening, Sept. 9, '91, Mr. Abel Fisher, aged 77 yrs. 7 mo. and 9 days. Mr. Fisher was born in Mercer Co., Pa., in 1814. He was one of a family of ten children. Bishop Roberts of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was his grand uncle, and while he was in the ministry, Mr. Fisher spent his early life with him in Indiana.
He was married to Miss Mary Gibson, in Lawrence Co. Pa., March 23, 1856 by the Rev. Mr. Boyd, of the Presbyterian Church. They were permitted to enjoy each others society until 1836, when his companion was called away from him by death. He being a kind father could not endure to have his children separated from him, and now for 33 years he has kept them all together, the family being composed of six girls and five boys, and though the oldest girl at the time of her mother’s death was but 13 years of age, he has never allowed them to be separated from him. What a noble example of a father’s love.
About eleven years ago he moved with his children to Kansas and settled at Iola, where they have always lived. The Pennsylvania House that they have had charge of for these years, has a reputation of the highest order, far and near, both in our own state and other states as a model hotel.
Mr. Fisher, though never formally connected with any church, was a firm believer in Christianity. He was a constant and thoughtful reader of the Bible, and his wife was a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church. He was a kind father. He seemed to have a premonition of his approaching end, for he had settled up the minutest part of his business, and left all of his papers systematically arranged, and had passed them over some days ago to one of his daughters.
His death was peaceful; being conscious to almost the last moment, and talked to those who were present only a few minutes before his spirit left the body. His funeral services took place on Saturday at 4 p. m. from the parlors of the Pennsylvania House, in the presence of a large concourse of people, conducted by Rev. A. S. Freed, pastor of the M. E. church.

Obituary: Abel Fisher - The Iola Register, 11 Sep 1891The register regrets to announce of the death of Mr. Abel Fisher, of this place, which occurred Wednesday Sept. 10th, at 3:50 pm. Mr. Fisher was the proprietor of the Fisher Hotel and a respected citizen of Iola for many years. His daughters arrived from Texas yesterday. At the present writing, the arrangements for the funeral have not been announced.

News article announcing Abel Fisher's purchase of the Cottage Grove Hotel in Iola, KS - Iola Register, 20 Aug 1880.Mr. Abel Fisher, who until recently owned a large farm and run a grist mill at Eastbrook, this county, has purchased the Cottage Grove Hotel at Iola, Allen county, Kansas, and has renovated and furnished it anew from top to bottom. Camp's Emigrants' Guide pronounces it one of the best hotels in the State of Kansas. Mr. Fisher has changed the name of his hotel and calls it the Philadelphia Hotel. ( Ed-Article reprinted from the Lawrence (Pa.) Paragraph per the reference at the end of the article. The hotel under Abel's ownership, was run by Abel and his daughters, and is variously listed in news articles of the day as the Philadelphia House, Pennsylvania House, Pennsylvania Hotel and the Fisher Hotel.)

Fisher hotel fire - The Iola Register, 3 Jan 1890About eleven o’clock Monday night our people were aroused from sleep by the startling cry of fire, and the large barn of the Pennsylvania hotel was seen to be burning fleecily. Percy Harris and Harry Sleeper were the flrst to observe the fire, and immediately started the alarm. They broke open the main door of the barn and succeed in getting the bus out, but were unable to get the horses and cattle in time to rescue any of them, all the doors being securely locked and the fire already burning with intense heat. By the time a crowd had reached the scene, it was plain that nothing could be done to save the barn or its contents, and all efforts were directed toward protecting neighboring buildings. It was only by the most strenuous and heroic efforts that the Rodman residence and the dwelling house north of it were saved. As it was. a small stable and other out houses belonging to Mr. Apple, of some $100 in value were destroyed. The Fisher barn was full of hay, oats and corn and there were in it besides, three valuable horses, three cows and two calves.
All of these poor brutes perished, one horse being rescued alive, but in such a condition that it was mercifully killed at once. There is much sympathy with the well known proprietors of the hotel, whose loss will aggregate about $2,000, without insurance. The origin of the fie is a profound mystery The Fisher sisters say the barn was securely locked in the evening and the lantern had been brought to the house. The conclusion is almost inevitable that it was the careless work of a tramp, or the dastardly deed of an incendiary.

Fisher sisters survive Galveston hurricane - The Iola Register, 21 Sep 1900The Galveston Dispatch to the Kansas City Star this week gives a list of Kansas and Missouri people who survived the storm in that city. In the list of Iola people will be very glad to note the following names: Miss E. Fisher, Nannie A. Fisher, June H. Fisher, Lucy M. Fisher and L. E. Fisher, all of Iola. The Fisher sisters are running a hotel at that place, a large one, and this accounts for their all being safe.
(Ed - The hurricane referred to in the article is the Category 4 hurricane that hit Galveston, TX on 8 Sep 1900, killing between 6,000 and 12,000 of the island's 42,00 inhabitants. It remains the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history.
At the time of the storm the highest point in the city of Galveston was only 8.7 feet (2.7 m) above sea level. The hurricane brought with it a storm surge of over 15 feet (4.6 m) which washed over the entire island destroying all but the most solid structures. As severe as the damage to the city's buildings was, the human toll was even greater. Because of the destruction of the bridges to the mainland and the telegraph lines, no word of the city's destruction was able to reach the mainland.[At 11 a.m. on September 9, one of the few ships at the Galveston wharfs to survive the storm, the Pherabe, arrived in Texas City on the western side of Galveston Bay. It carried six messengers from the city. When they reached the telegraph office in Houston at 3 a.m. on September 10, a short message was sent to Texas Governor Joseph D. Sayers and U.S. President William McKinley: "I have been deputized by the mayor and Citizen's Committee of Galveston to inform you that the city of Galveston is in ruins."
Workers set out by rail and ship for the island almost immediately. Rescuers arrived to find the city completely destroyed. Roughly 20% of the island's population had lost their lives, with estimates ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 dead. Most had drowned or been crushed as the waves pounded the debris that had been their homes hours earlier. Many survived the storm itself but died after several days trapped under the wreckage of the city, with rescuers unable to reach them. The rescuers could hear the screams of the survivors as they walked on the debris trying to rescue those they could. A further 30,000 were left homeless.
The hotel managed by the Fisher sisters was the famous Tremont House bounded by Tremont, Church, and 24th streets. During the hurricane hundreds took refuge in the hotel. Clara Barton, organizer of the American Red Cross stayed there when she came to Galveston after the storm to assist disaster victims.)

Letter from Fisher Sisters re. Galveston Hurricane - The Iola Register, 5 Oct 1900Fisher Sisters Heard From.
An Iola friend has received n letter from the Fisher sisters, who are conducting e, hotel in Galveston, and it tells of their remarkable escape from death and loss. While the wild waters surged all about four feet deep for blocks they escaped injury in their hotel and the loss to their property will not be over fifty dollars. They expected to be swept away every minute but not one word of fear was heard in the solemn quiet of the hotel during tho trying hours of waiting.
Miss Libby Fisher has been appointed by Miss Burton on her staff to help look after the relief work.
She writes that a week ego the dead were still being found and buried at the rate of 100 a day. The girls have received hundreds of letters and telegrams from all over the country, from friends and strangers, congratulating them. It is certainly one of the remarknble experiences of the storm.

Law Suit Against the Fisher Sisters - The Iola Register, 12 Jan 1900Claims Against the Fisher Sisters are Aggregating About $2,000
Papers have been filled In the district court representing the claims brought by three parties against the Fisher Sisters who recently gave up their hotel here and went to Galveston. Through her attorney, C. S. Ritter, Julia Williams filled suit for $428 wages which she has earned by her labor. She worked, she claims, 428 weeks at a salary of $2 a week and received just half that sum, and sues for the balance. W. A Martin, who acted as clerk in the office, also sues for $454 which he alleges to be due him on back salary. John Gants, the new proprietor, who paid the sisters $2,250 for everything in the hotel, save the clothing and personal effects of the ladles, brings suit for $995.10, the value of the goods which the sisters took from the building, contrary to his understanding of the lease. Dishes, bedding, furniture, and a long list of things are included in his bill.

Law Suit Against the Fisher Sisters Concluded - The Iola Register, 23 Nov 1900The District Court
Entire week of Busy Work in the Court Room
Hotel Suit Most Important
John Gants Awarded $500 on his Claim for $900 Damages
(snip)
The most impressive display of legal talent so far in the present court session appeared Monday when the suit of Mr. and Mrs. John Gants against the Misses Fisher for $900.00 was called. The suit was over a verbal agreement made at the time of renting of the hotel by the sisters to Mr. and Mrs. Gants and the sale of the furnishings. The trial lasted for two days and late one night.
Tuesday Proceedings
The suits of Mr. and Mrs. John Gants against the Fisher Sisters is held the boards Tuesday and Wednesday. A long array of witnesses, from star boarders who lived at the hotel at the time of the change, down to the book and chambermaids, draymen and carpet dusters, were sworn and testified about the furniture before and after the change, None of the testimony was exciting and the only fire struck came from more or less regular tilts between counsel.
Among the star witnesses of the morning was Brooks Lane, the stuttering man of all work. He prefaced his remarks by the assurance that while he did stutter,"if you'll give me t-time, I'll m-m-mange to s-s-stutter out the t-t-truth." The room was crowded in expectancy, but Brooks held his tongue pretty well. On a cross examination he was asked if the parlor carpet was a dark green, and replied that while he didn’t know whether it was dark green he thought it was “some light color.”
Wednesday Proceedings
The jury in the suit of Mr. and MrJ. H. Gants against the Fisher sisters went out at 10 o’clock Tuesday night and at 9 o’clock Wednesday came in with a sealed verdict. They had a long seance and the finding was as follows:
Judgment in favor of John Gants and his wife for $500 was rendered, which carries with it the costs in the case which will add somewhat to the amount to be paid. The original amount asked for was $900 and it will be seen that the jury eliminated some of the items stated in the petition, but credited the withdrawal of a good part of the goods named.
The lawyers made their pleadings at night, the prosecution opening, A. H. Campbell speaking first. Then Mr. Foust replied for the defense, Mr. Benton eloquently seconding his remarks. C. A. Cox closed for the prosecution and then everybody but the jury went home, having listened to two solid hours of conflicting eloquence.

Fisher Sisters Lease Hotel and Depart Iola - The Iola Register, 3 Nov 1893The Fisher Sisters have leased the Pennsylvania Hotel to Mr. R. H. Bennet, and expect to start tonight for Galveston to join the other members of the family in conducting the Washington Hotel. The departure of the Misses Fisher will be sincerely regretted as they have given Iola a reputation as the best hotel town of its size in the State. It is pleasant to know, however, that the Pennsylvania has fallen into such good hands as Mr. Bennet. This gives assurance that it will be kept up to the same high standard as the past, and that Iola will still have a first class hotel.

Fisher Sisters Lease Pennsylvania Hotel to Lucius Gillihan - The Iola Register, - 5 May 1893The Fisher Sisters and Mr. Gillihan have reached an agreement whereby the latter is to take possession of the Pennsylvania Hotel about June 1st. Everybody will be sorry that the Misses Fisher are to leave for they made the Pennsylvania a model hotel, It is a consolation, however, to know that the high standard they have set will be maintained by Mr. Gillihan whose management of the Leland since he took charge of it some months ago has amply demonstrated his ability to run a first class house. As soon as the change is made the Leland will be closed, at least until Mr. Gillihan's lease expires September 1.

Fisher Sisters to Build - The Iola Register, 31 Dec 1897Fisher Sisters to Build
A New Wing Will be Added to the Pennsylvania Hotel and Other Improvements Made.
Major Foust, who is attending to their business here, has just received a letter from the Fisher Sisters, who still own the Pennsylvania hotel property, that as soon a spring opens they want to have the old wing of the hotel torn away and the space filled with a new and up-to-date structure. They will also have a brick sidewalk put down along the entire front of the property and will have other improvements made which will add greatly to the attractiveness and convenience of the hotel.
Under the careful management of Mr. J. W. McClure the Pennsylvania is steadily gaining ground, and with the contemplated additions and improvements it will establish its reputation as one of the best equipped and most popular hotels in this part of the State.

Fisher Sister Lost to Galveston Hurricane? - The Iola Register, 14 Sep 1900In the lists of names killed in the Galveston flood appear the names of W. F. Fisher, two children, two sisters-in-law, and a niece and a Mr. and Mrs. Walter Fisher. Whether these belong to the family of the Fisher Sisters who lived here so many years, being owners of the Pennsylvania Hotel, or not cannot be learned. The Fisher sisters operated a hotel in Galveston but whether they escaped or perished is not known.